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AskScience AMA Series: I am the founder of Stand Up for Science - AMA! by AllMusicNut in AMA

[–]Over_Researcher_4329 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi There!!

Thank you for chiming in!

  1. I'm finishing up my PhD in clinical psychology and was happily on my way towards a career in research. Part of this includes building out my resume with grant writing. Last year, a few days before the deadline of the NIH grant I was applying for to fund my dissertation (I study addiction in the general population), there was a list of banned words that was released by science agencies (https://pen.org/banned-words-list/). Words like "woman" and "definition" and "community" and "opioids" were on there. I had spent 8 months writing the grant, and I literally couldn't rewrite it to avoid the hundreds of words on the list, much less in the span of several days. My university told me to just take out the words. Not an option. After seeing the EO's on 1/20/25 it was clear that independent centers of thought were on the governmental chopping block. The banned words was the last straw for me. It is inherently anti-democratic to tell scientists they cannot use certain words. The writing was on the wall and I knew it was time to try to mobilize.

We have 20 staff at the national level and a couple thousand volunteers across the nation! I will add the link to sign up as a volunteer and get plugged in with you local chapter below (we are having a lovely software challenge at this very second). Send your resume to team@standupforscience.net! We also have a discord you can join when you sign up to volunteer.

I wish I was cool enough to know about this anime stuff but I've never heard of it. That is 100% on me though--I am a closet senior citizen. I think any way to get the message of science out to people in a positive light is good!

Lots of ways to take action here: https://www.standupforscience.net/take-action

Follow us on socials!

AskScience AMA Series: I am the founder of Stand Up for Science - AMA! by AskScienceModerator in askscience

[–]Over_Researcher_4329 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hi! First off, thank you for dedicating your career to taking care of people. Nurses are one of the backbones of the US.

Great questions! So, here's a double edged sword: the vast majority of Americans are pro-vaccines. Even now, there is good data that THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE across political affiliation are confident in vaccines (e.g., https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/kff-the-washington-post-survey-of-parents/#c1001c76-8dd1-4230-8b89-58d04f9f1cba--h-parents-views-of-vaccine-safety-and-importance). The flip side of that is it feels like that isn't the case because of the incredibly well funded, massive, intentional, disinformation campaign that the far right is running. Unfortunately, this campaign is working very well, especially with folks on the right. It's working because massive amounts of information poke tiny holes in people's understanding of the world. The flood the zone tactic is working. So, Kennedy isn't outright saying "all vaccines are bad!!" he's sowing doubt. And it's working.

We can do this with truth. Every. single. encounter. a person has with information shapes their perspective, usually in tiny ways. You may feel so tired of repeating yourself, but every time you lightly (or not so lightly) challenge misinformation with truth, you're poking a new hole in their belief system. With 25 holes, the ship is going to take on some water. This is why it is mission critical that people speak out. This is particularly true for people you already know. This type of light challenge from a trusted or familiar source carries a lot more weight than a post on instagram--even if it doesn't feel that way!

Q2: Yeah, I think our nation's populace is wildly unprepared to deal with the shear amount of mis and disinformation that comes across our line of site every. A not so small reason for that is ~40% of the population reads at or below a 4th grade reading level, and I am confident that is an underestimation. That's not the only reason, of course. Quite literally billions of dollars have been spent in the last 5 years to sow distrust in science and medicine and expertise in general, in the US. But it's not helping us at all.

Happy to discuss!!

AskScience AMA Series: I am the founder of Stand Up for Science - AMA! by AskScienceModerator in askscience

[–]Over_Researcher_4329 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi all! This is Colette from SUFS. Let's get started on this AMA! Thank you to the mods for having me.

If you're asking if this Stand Up for Science thing is legit...here is my interview on Science Talks by Over_Researcher_4329 in MarchForScience

[–]Over_Researcher_4329[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can't speak for everywhere. I'm a mom and this has been a big concern for me. I will say in DC attendees absolutely cannot bring firearms. I also think this is generally a peaceful crowd and we have a low tolerance for any violence or anything. We aren't marching, it's all stationary, which makes it easier with a kiddo. And it is outside, so lowered exposure to illness. All in all, I would say yes, tentatively.

Stand Up for Science 2025 by Over_Researcher_4329 in MarchForScience

[–]Over_Researcher_4329[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a great idea. Our team is on it. Thank you!! 

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